For Console games:

Fire Emblem and Advance Wars. Try to track down the GBA versions to play first, if you can, as they are still the best. If you are interested in Mecha, Red Ring for PS2 and Front Mission 3 for PS1 are fantastic tactical turn-based games. Rainbow Moon is coming out in a bit for PS3, and while it is similar to Disgaea, its RPG/Strategy Hybrid system is comparable to Shining Force.

For PC games:

Firaxis, the Civilization developer, is releasing a new version of XCOM Enemy Unknown in the Fall. Track down Jagged Alliance 2 and Silent Storm as well. And as always, the original XCOM is the best turn-based tactical RPG Strategy game of all time, on any platform. You need to install DOSBox for running it. If you haven't played it yet, find it and install it right now.

I was strongly against the PS3 in the beginning, but I've come to appreciate the number of unique and creative games which are out for the system. It is still fustrating to see Sony fumbling and stumbling when it comes to multi-platform gaming and lack of quantity for exculsive games. InFamous and GOW3 will definitely be great games, and Fat Princess is sure to be fun with multiplayer.

Yet Sony needs to step up the quantity of high-profile games in order to properly compete with Microsoft and Nintendo, like back in the PS2 era. They need to get more development teams and start some more unique IPs. What ever happened to Ninja Theory after Heavenly Sword? And what about expansions and support for Warhawk Resistance 2 and Killzone 2?

If Sony ever does a price-cut, that will only be the first step. They can't rest on their laurels for a second, or else they'll be overwhelmed and consumed by the competition. C'mon Sony! Step it up a notch!

Does anyone else share this worrying view, or are more optimistic? I'm curious to know.

I have a friend who is a crazed-collector of JRPGs for Xbox 360, so I was able to play Infinite Undiscovery, The Last Remnant, Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon and Star Ocean 4 at his place. Yikes. Quality has really gone down-hill in recent years. What is Square thinking releasing this grabage in half-finished form? What happened to the high quality of games we have come to expect in recent years? Star Ocean 4 was the only one that seemed half-decent, so much so that I decided to buy it myself and have enjoyed it ever-since.

All I can say is this: I really hope Square pulls out all the stops for FFXIII. Seriously. They need to regain their reputation after such terrible releases. Does anyone agree with my view on Star Ocean 4, or think that one of the other games was better in comparison? I'm curious to know.

P.S. I've heard that Eternal Sonata was very good, and intend to hunt down a copy and try it myself.

I have a friend who is a crazed-collector of JRPGs for Xbox 360, so I was able to play Infinite Undiscovery, The Last Remnant, Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon and Star Ocean 4 at his place. Yikes. Quality has really gone down-hill in recent years. What is Square thinking releasing this grabage in half-finished form? What happened to the high quality of games we have come to expect in recent years? Star Ocean 4 was the only one that seemed half-decent, so much so that I decided to buy it myself and have enjoyed it ever-since.

All I can say is this: I really hope Square pulls out all the stops for FFXIII. Seriously. They need to regain their reputation after such terrible releases. Does anyone agree with my view on Star Ocean 4, or think that one of the other games was better in comparison? I'm curious to know.

I have a friend who is a crazed-collector of JRPGs for Xbox 360, so I was able to play Infinite Undiscovery, The Last Remnant, Lost Odyssey, Blue Dragon and Star Ocean 4 at his place. Yikes. Quality has really gone down-hill in recent years. What is Square thinking releasing this grabage in half-finished form? What happened to the high quality of games we have come to expect in recent years? Star Ocean 4 was the only one that seemed half-decent, so much so that I decided to buy it myself and have enjoyed it ever-since.

All I can say is this: I really hope Square pulls out all the stops for FFXIII. Seriously. They need to regain their reputation after such terrible releases. Does anyone agree with my view on Star Ocean 4, or think that one of the other games was better in comparison? I'm curious to know.

My list may soon change though, as I am having tons of fun with Star Ocean 4 and Too Human.

1. Ninja Gaiden 2

2. Perfect Dark Zero

3. Castle Crashers

4. Fable 2

5. Braid

I would also put up Ninja Gaiden Black, Panzer Dragoon Orta and Kingdom Under Fire. Still excellent games.

Batman Arkham Asylum is the top one for me right now. Bionic Commando, Prototype, and Halo 3 ODST are close seconds. Dark Void and Bioshock 2 are also looking good. So many good games coming out, so little time to spare (and money)!

Fallout 3 hands-down. Incredible amount of re-playability, immersive game world, interesting characters, fun weapons, and dozens of side-quests to keep you busy for a looooooong time.

Anyways now you can probably get Bioshock for bragain bin price. Get both. Bioshock is a great adventure game with cool plasmid powers and great enemies (Big Daddy!!).

Then by the time you're well into both, the price for RE5 will have been lowered and then you can consider buying it. But I think you'll still be too busy with Fallout 3 hunting mutants and having fun with the MIRV mini-nuke launcher.:D

Actually it's a bit cruel to compare a console shooter to PC shooters, so instead I'll give console-only shooters for a comparison. With Resistance 2, Killzone 2, and Gears of War 2, the bar has been raised since Halo 3 was released and we have seen a high level of refinement and polish. Halo 3 was still a very fun game, but it definitely wasn't as innovative as the first Halo. In comparison, Metroid Prime 3 is a better example of the evolution of a series. Case in point: the grapple arm. Simple implementation, but brilliant execution! Nothing with similar innovation was implemented in Halo 3; only slight refinements. Does it have a spectacular sing-player story and contemporary jaw-dropping graphics? No. Does it still have very enjoyable multiplayer? Absolutely, and it easily rivals GOW2, RFOM2, and KZ2. The gameplay is still fun, but definitely not gound-breaking like Halo 1 was. Over-rated? Yes. Still fun to play online? Absolutely.